Abstract:

In this essay I define food design as a recently developed and independent discipline. I claim that food design is a medium which reaches everyone because food is a pre–potent need.

In order to change eating habits the designer has to take both physiological and psychological aspects into account. Food gives sensory, behavioral and reflective responses to the consumer. I suggest that in order to change children’s eating habits the designer has to tap on the reflective responses. I show examples of such food objects and eating concepts that encourage children to eat food that they would not eat without these designs.

I introduce co–creation as a design method that participates the consumer already in the ideation and the concept development of a design process. Co–creation answers to an increasing demand of being involved the creation of everyday objects, one’s living environment and services.

I introduce examples of co–creation projects with children which have yielded fantastic results. I claim that co–creation is a natural and productive method to design for children. The children should not be considered as small adults. The designer should disregard his own reference frame and try to view things from children’s perspective. Co–creation is an easy way to learn how the children think.

As a result of this study I present a toolkit for food design workshops for children. I have collected excercises varying from food–related drawing and collage excercises to role plays and interviews in the toolkit.